tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post3974764240806577764..comments2024-03-24T20:54:42.846-04:00Comments on Spunk On A Stick's Tips: The Insecure Writer's Support GroupL. Diane Wolfehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-54582247566249686212011-09-12T10:05:14.263-04:002011-09-12T10:05:14.263-04:00Chiming in a bit late here, but I believe this is ...Chiming in a bit late here, but I believe this is important not just for writers, but for modern consumers in general.<br /><br />I'm an engineer, and I tell new-hires to remember this: You do ~not~ have a job -- you're just between layoffs.<br /><br />I keep my feet in several camps, enough that if one folds I can make a go at the other camp. I program, write, I'm an engineer, and I have some other marketable skills. Heck, I'm even a pretty good carpenter and after a year or so of apprenticeship I bet I could make a fine go at cabinetry or other general carpentry projects.<br /><br />A man at a bar once told me this fine piece of beerly advice (which is the best and most honestest advice you'll get, over beer that is) -- you should always have FOUR sources of income.<br /><br />There you go.<br /><br /> - EricEric W. Tranthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13842968931062056407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-38656059783894780122011-09-11T08:24:53.954-04:002011-09-11T08:24:53.954-04:00Simon, I'll get you a drinking cat next week.
...Simon, I'll get you a drinking cat next week.<br /><br />Enid, that's a thought.<br /><br />Caledonia, I'd like to find those teenagers who like optimistic books without vampires.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-77166393522325018832011-09-10T18:09:42.767-04:002011-09-10T18:09:42.767-04:00Why does YA have to be paranormal? I've read v...Why does YA have to be paranormal? I've read very good YA books that have not been on the paranormal side. There are those kids out there who might find that refreshing. My daughter and her friends got a lot of flack for even looking at Twilight. Didn't stop them from reading it, but I know lots of teens who are looking for the non-paranormal element as well.<br />Anyway, off of that rant, I have at least 4 fantasy books waiting in the wings, part of a series. I also have a couple of other genres I am writing in as well and I absolutely agree with your diversity comments. Have to be diverse. Good luck with your writing!Mel Chesleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08200734886454147170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-46590637140230662682011-09-09T07:25:41.272-04:002011-09-09T07:25:41.272-04:00It takes a lot of courage to admit about one's...It takes a lot of courage to admit about one's fear. Thanks for sharing. <br /><br />For fiction writing, I agree with you. I like optimistic and happy ending ones too. I know vampires are hit now but I don't particularly like them. That's why I'm not writing it. I prefer to write what I love.<br /><br />Perhaps you can write for seniors. With ageing population, it will be a big target group and I think many of them like more optimistic fiction to read. <br /><br /><a href="http://steamyfantasy.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow"> Every Savage Can Reproduce</a>Enid Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12248877161249788607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-54663131269178746652011-09-08T22:35:41.166-04:002011-09-08T22:35:41.166-04:00Thanks for sharing, Diane. Finding that something ...Thanks for sharing, Diane. Finding that something that I'm an expert at is the difficult part, especially since I'd be looking for something fairly unique and worthy of talking or writing about!Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-30669758044837735772011-09-08T10:16:03.153-04:002011-09-08T10:16:03.153-04:00You can make money from writing? All this time I&#...You can make money from writing? All this time I've been writing for free. I can't wait to quit my day job.<br /><br />I found you through the blog hop. I hope to join in soon.Powdered Toast Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18195170076576384695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-33464168495380653742011-09-08T08:44:19.435-04:002011-09-08T08:44:19.435-04:00I'm afraid I write too slowly to produce the a...I'm afraid I write too slowly to produce the amount of fiction I have in my head. <br /><br />There. I said it. <br /><br />Can I have a drink now? :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-77975730872203939712011-09-08T08:21:10.054-04:002011-09-08T08:21:10.054-04:00Lynn, I guess I'm lucky I have made money at b...Lynn, I guess I'm lucky I have made money at both.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-3627570852369991402011-09-07T23:52:51.327-04:002011-09-07T23:52:51.327-04:00I'm slowly writing a teen inspiration novel. I...I'm slowly writing a teen inspiration novel. Interestingly I read it was the most published genre in Christian Fiction. Gosh, I hope I get it finished before I'm 50 but, either way, it's a story idea I feel compelled to finish, and learn from too. If your next fiction idea brews to over-boiling, I hope you consider writing it down! Photography is my other 'non-lucrative' activity, and thankfully I have a job to support the gear. But it sure we be nice to be making a few dollars on both...!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-39269202227109381582011-09-07T21:48:40.847-04:002011-09-07T21:48:40.847-04:00I second Karen Walker's comment. If you time i...I second Karen Walker's comment. If you time is taken up by non-fiction projects that make money that's not a bad thing. <br /><br />I think we make time to do the things we love. No matter how bogged down I get with kids, cleaning, and stuff, I still read. It's my passion. Now I just need to push a little harder to give my writing that kind of dedication!Tamara Narayanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03725262301091012950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-62945069150300384732011-09-07T21:02:52.413-04:002011-09-07T21:02:52.413-04:00You're so right about nonfiction selling much ...You're so right about nonfiction selling much better than fiction, but I have no desire (at this point) to write nonfiction. Best of luck to you with your YA novel. There's nothing wrong with inspiring books, not at all. There are lots of teens who like those more than the dark stories. I like both!LynNerdKelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04167392990015741278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-86432616579468772272011-09-07T19:21:26.036-04:002011-09-07T19:21:26.036-04:00Great advice. I write two different genres of fict...Great advice. I write two different genres of fiction and that keeps my motivations fresh.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-39046017981448501242011-09-07T17:54:22.310-04:002011-09-07T17:54:22.310-04:00Laura, I'm too crazy busy to be smug!
Splitti...Laura, I'm too crazy busy to be smug!<br /><br />Splitting Atoms for Dummies - LOL! That's a good one, Stephen. Maybe you should write it.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-32863163416388848312011-09-07T17:14:32.790-04:002011-09-07T17:14:32.790-04:00I've pondered writing a non-fiction book, but ...I've pondered writing a non-fiction book, but honestly, I don't know what I would write. A cook book? DIY? How to perform your own denistry? Splitting Atoms for Dummies?<br /><br />I'm just not an expert in any one thing. Guess I'll have to stick with fiction.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-6054981891115872982011-09-07T17:01:22.351-04:002011-09-07T17:01:22.351-04:00Thanks for the advice!Thanks for the advice!Golden Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721520451194318436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-66530500427453023202011-09-07T16:01:44.489-04:002011-09-07T16:01:44.489-04:00Great post... I say do a little bit of what you fa...Great post... I say do a little bit of what you fancy, whatever that is, as well as as much of whatever pays the bills as is nesessary. And for those lucky few where these two things are one and the same, go pat yourselves on the back and try not to look too smug :)<br />LxLaurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03604785269958873474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-42053654907106194872011-09-07T15:42:50.078-04:002011-09-07T15:42:50.078-04:00Can I count creating the support group as diversif...Can I count creating the support group as diversifying? Hope you don't give up on your fiction writing.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-9242621431668561882011-09-07T14:22:54.100-04:002011-09-07T14:22:54.100-04:00Clarissa, that just seems to be what sells.
Karen...Clarissa, that just seems to be what sells.<br /><br />Karen, thank you.<br /><br />Matthew, that is true.<br /><br />Nicki, they are far more positive than most of the YA I've read.<br /><br />Will, then I hope it cycles back soon.<br /><br />Hart, right now the non-fiction is coming easier and I know there's a market for it.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-33492163424958817352011-09-07T13:48:39.878-04:002011-09-07T13:48:39.878-04:00Man, I don't know HOW you could give up on fic...Man, I don't know HOW you could give up on fiction. I write scientifically by day and I don't get nearly the same kind of satisfaction from it. I get a different kind, because I believe in the science, but it's not so tied to who I am--the core of my being.<br /><br />I am the wrong sort for any other kind of serious non-fiction, and DEFINITELY nothing live... I'm shy and retiring, you know... erm... But seriously, my brain works at about the speed I can type.<br /><br />I am diversifying to the extent that I have a couple genres going--one that i think is pretty easy to keep writing in--bread and butter (mystery) and one I hope to someday hit homerun status with (YA--yes, dark and edgy, but I see a lot of YA that is happier--coming of age and such)Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-47577892857751476392011-09-07T13:37:03.341-04:002011-09-07T13:37:03.341-04:00Great advice! Thank you for sharing.Great advice! Thank you for sharing.Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-8855604607270290752011-09-07T12:29:51.141-04:002011-09-07T12:29:51.141-04:00Well, there is one other route - wait until you re...Well, there is one other route - wait until you retire to start seriously trying to get published. Saves the worry about the whole J-O-B thing.<br /><br />Unfortunately, that also puts you at square one at the ripe of age of...um, never mind.LD Mastersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01202135756299574972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-107813530472150852011-09-07T10:55:40.705-04:002011-09-07T10:55:40.705-04:00Great ideas! My JOB is pretty good, so I'm not...Great ideas! My JOB is pretty good, so I'm not desperate, but I'd much rather be writing, or doing related work as you are.<br />I know that paranormal is "hot" now, but I have fond memories of reading YA that was very real-world. I hope that there's still an audience for it, but these things are all cyclicle, eh?Will Burkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10158149526658590324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-64780113031926517632011-09-07T10:34:41.166-04:002011-09-07T10:34:41.166-04:00Great advice. Fiction is fun, but it is so compet...Great advice. Fiction is fun, but it is so competitive and requires convincing people to read. The non-fiction provides the platform of expertise that can allow the selling opportunities of speaking engagements and the like where it's easier to put your book out there for the folks who want more of what you have to offer. These days I don't think anyone can be overly diversified with things changing the way they do.<br /><br /><br />Lee<br /><a href="http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Tossing It Out</a>Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-8766990745208970682011-09-07T10:31:13.713-04:002011-09-07T10:31:13.713-04:00Not every teen faces such dark issues--I hope mine...Not every teen faces such dark issues--I hope mine never have to--so I like that your series keeps things a bit lighter and more hopeful. <br /><br />Diversifying is an excellent tip. Seems to be a misconception out there about money suddenly rolling in upon publication. And working at other things is what gives us the life experience that keeps our books so very scintillating, right. ;)Nicki Elsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11412032684225126973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-88207866867005136522011-09-07T08:58:14.526-04:002011-09-07T08:58:14.526-04:00Great advice!Great advice!Summer Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08122694893668693244noreply@blogger.com